Knitter makes hats for premature babies

When knitting for charitable causes premature baby wards are always grateful to receive extra woollen clothing to help keep the infants warm.

It can be difficult to find clothing which is the right size to fit these babies, so having smaller hats, booties and cardigans available can be an invaluable asset.

Muriel Garvey from Ontario, Canada is one woman who has spent many years knitting baby hats for premature babies.

She told the Brantford Expositor that she has made more than 1,000 knitted caps over the years for grateful parents and staff at the Brant Community Healthcare System.

Karen Wood, team lead in the maternal child programme at the centre, told the newspaper that the woollen hats were a perfect gift for the premature babies and newborns.

She explained: "Babies lose their heat from their head and their temperature regulation system is immature. So it is very important to their transition time or health that they have their heads covered, especially immediately after birth."

Hats can be incredibly quick and easy to make, especially if they are designed to fit on babies' heads.

Before embarking on a batch of caps get in touch with the relevant beneficiaries of the hats to ascertain just what they are looking for from the hat.

When making clothes for babies it is important to use very soft wool which will not irritate theirsensate skin and to pick yarns which can be washed regularly without shrinking.

It is advisable to use a range of coloured yarns to help fit the preferences of different parents and to make a variety of sizes for the babies.

Bobbles are best to be avoided with newborns so use simple knitting patterns which don't require added pieces which could come loose, especially after repeat washing.